Comments 03/02/2008
This page is for anything Lake Alice. CommentsCharz 03/07/2008 11:01pm
heard all about it would love 2 go there wat a grat website PeterPan 03/09/2008 11:50pm
Great site, learnt a lot from it, Can't wait till mores put up fafairydustrydufairydustst 04/14/2008 8:12pm
hi i just recently had a look on the outskirts of this hospital asd i no wlive in bulls and i got the weirdest vibe from it and made me wanna be sick FAIRY DUST 04/15/2008 1:44pm
HI Brendon 05/10/2008 9:33pm
Hi there, Jojo 05/13/2008 11:25am
hi, Asylum_souljah 05/15/2008 8:31pm
Hiya, great site, looked around the place 4 or 5 yrs ago, just drove through, looked like here today gone tomorrow, furniture lying around the villas. visited a old friend 18 yrs ago out there, he started off petty crime, stealing from a shop lollies or something, put in borstal at 12, then never let out at 17 transferred to sunnyside, where he spent the next 45 yrs or so in and out. horrible places, so glad times have changed, glad I was never put there for my teen years....... Keep up the great site, more pics please.... Rory 06/03/2008 11:51am
Hey Guys Would Like To Get In Touch With The Owner Would Enjoy To Be Able To Go Out At Night.Should Be Able To Go Out AT night For A Charge!! H 06/09/2008 5:49pm
Hi, I am EXTREMELY interested in Lake Alice. I have a friend who did an army excercise there once, said it was one of the scariest experiences of his life, and the atmosphere had something eerie about it. I am interested in the history of the hospital and would love to know everything there is to know about it. If someone could help me with any details or pictures? I have yet to visit the place, but it is on my to-do list. If there are connections with the owner, I would love to get it touch. Great website, I intend to be a regular viewer :) Cammmo 06/25/2008 12:36am
i love this site! these pics r awsome n it's fun to read about this old mental home...shame it's not open anymore to the public... JC 07/01/2008 10:10am
Hey would you know anythi Chazza 07/08/2008 3:12am
great website has improved heaps know so much about it, will have to go there sometime wendy 07/21/2008 3:17pm
i used to live rite next door no. 38 lake alice rd. it wa the most amazing place ive ever lived i have so many storys and photos if your interested. one day when it was still owned by the goverment we went in to take some photos we went into the crimmanally insane unit to see what we could find we found a small black bible on a table the photo would have been amazing later that day we got it devoloped the bible wasnt there . we went back later that day and the bible was compeletly going you gotta have alot of balls to live nextdoor Sara 10/03/2008 9:48pm
Would love to get any photos or information that any one might have. I have a family history with the hospital that I have been peicing together, but unfortunately left it too late to be able to see the place in person. So thanks for the site, its good to gwet some info. wendy 10/08/2008 10:46am
Hay there, Tracey 10/08/2008 8:41pm
Great site and lots of interesting pictures and info. Hope there will be more - will be looking forward to it. Sapphire 10/23/2008 2:42pm
I have a tonne of photos of lake alice if anyone is interested :) give me an email shillise@hotmail.com, or leave a message on my site www.bebo.com/staralise jacob 10/24/2008 7:23am
i went there when i was back at school with all my friends one night after seeing it on that ghoast hunt show man that place was scary people wrote your gona die and stuff on the walls do not recomend visiting at night unless u have a big group of islanders to look after you Kyle 11/03/2008 8:32am
Wow, its interesting to read all the stories everyone has posted. Dewdrop 11/06/2008 12:00pm
Hi guys, jeremy 11/07/2008 6:26am
cant believe im saying this here, but i actually feeln a little sori 4 u... go do some deleting on S.N mate theyve been at it again carl 11/23/2008 1:01pm
went for a night trip there resently was like walking into another dimension very eerie presence, i do not suggest going there to anyone there are bad spirits there. I had a group of friends who went there once, one of the skitz out like something had possesed him and has never been the same since. MysteryMartonGirl 01/04/2009 9:17pm
I grew up in Marton in the 60's and 70's and remember having a relation at Lake Alice. He stayed there until they shipped the patients to the former childrens home in Marton. Also had an aunty and uncle who both worked at LA as nurses. Danielle 01/11/2009 2:27pm
I am really getting in to this whole Lake Alice thing! I didn't know it had such an insane background! Richard 02/07/2009 4:11am
I worked at Lake Alice in the early 1990s shortly before it closed. I'm greatful that someone has memorialised the place in some way. I had no pictures... I thought it perverse to take photos that might include residents and I regret that. I witnessed some awful nursing practice but also some great compassion at times. I did enjoy working with the residents and in some ways Lake Alice kick started an interest in mental health advocacy for me. It never had the warm and homely feeling that some other hospitals had... but I can't say that it was particularly spooky (even on night shift). Derelict buildings often take on a spooky aura. 02/07/2009 11:40am
Hey guys. Awesome website. Me and a group of mates have been out there a couple of time's all about 12, 1 oclock at night. I didnt realize there was so much history behind the creepy buildings. We only made it into the prison barraks because one of the big wooden doors fell down & me being me. I freaked and made the rest leave. Love to be able to go out there during the day for a look. Someone should tell the owners to open it up again to the public and let us in. Maybe for a charge. ricki 02/16/2009 12:47pm
we went owt 2 lake alice the otha nyt and got chased in villa 11 go there LILMSG 03/04/2009 7:31pm
it is great to see someone recognising the history of lake alice but moore importantly standing up for those that use to live there i use to work in another hospital that had some of the elder patiants from lake alice it saddens me even to this day what they were subjected to and how it became a way of routine and life for these poor people i am so glad that clinical practices have changed, i hope you page can bring awareness and support and some kind of justice for all the people of Lake Alice weather they be alive or dead today they deserve there dignity and respect. LILMSG 03/12/2009 9:18am
Hi Nathen SM 03/15/2009 7:11pm
I think there should be a tour before it is demolished!! I've never had a chance to see it. I wish I could, alot of my mates have snuck in there at night and said how creepy it is, I'm not that keen on breaking entry though. But if they won't do a tour I'll need to go in somehow :P karlah 03/18/2009 7:31pm
Very Inspiring!...have herd alot about this place and have begin reserching abit about it. its and amazing but creepy place! Have been out there but has such a werid feel...was to freaked out to go in! would also love to be toured around... Amazing website and photos. interested in finding out abit more if anyone has more info. sabrinarocks_2000@hotmail.com alex guyan 04/07/2009 8:16am
hey guys, soo much interesting things to read and study on this website.i used 2 live in marton my self and my dad went to the hospital for an excercise with the fire service he said he was creep out big time because he had to hide by himself in the units!!!!! if u wana add me 2 msn mustangman7800@hotmail.com thnx George 04/28/2009 8:33pm
i heard they got the shock treatment there. I was very disturbed at what i was told. Good job that it got shut down! Nathan 04/30/2009 2:26am
Bit behind the times, you speak as if you where a ex patient George. Some fail to consider that Lake Alice also did a few good things for the mental health system it wasnt always a nasty place, it kept many bad people away & took care of those who had no place or no one in its 49 years of operation. Just because a few doctors ran a unit in the 70's that used ECT does not make the rest of the hospital nor its staff bad. Are you forgetting they still use ECT in NZ today! greg 05/23/2009 3:07pm
WoW!! I cant belive I found this website. About 2 years ago me and my best mate sneakd in there at night. It was so scary we had to park the car up the road to avoid attention so was a bit of a walk down lake alice road. The freakest part was when we were walking back and one of the houses on Lake Alice Road looked abandon so we decided to go in for a closer look. we went onto the property and the door was open so we decided to go in I went for the light switch turned it on nothing happens so we just thought the power must be turned of then as we got half way into the hallway this loud humming sound came from one of the rooms maybe a freezer or something it was so scary we took of so fast and ran the whole way back to the car it was pretty scary especially how the mains had been turned of!!! never will I return again that place is definetly haunted! chelsea 05/30/2009 4:28pm
hey i just think this website is amazing , who is it that even has created it??im at work and havnt done anything all day but look at photos,storys etc. Jessy 06/23/2009 10:26pm
iv heard alot about this place, mental health - ECT IS a scarey topic, what happened there was totally unacceptable. before LA gets demolished i realli wana have a look esspecially at the MAXIMUM unit, but dont know if i could do it at night, i would never be the same again. wana go during the day?? cole 07/05/2009 3:33pm
We visited lake alice last night, the night before we visited aswell. we visited maximum security and all the other buildings around the community area. last night we went to the building furtherest away from everything by maximum security but down more. as we walked through the gate we heard birds churping then we went into the the house and they stopped. it was one of the most horrific events of my life. one of my friends decided to bring a log book/journal that he found in there back to wanganui but as we walked out he felt his hands burning.we eventually talked him out of it and told him to leave the book there(which is sitting on the grass outside of the house/building)I'd recommend all people visiting lake alice to not visit that building furtherest away by the maximum security track. cole 07/06/2009 2:02pm
We went there again last night, we went into maximum security and towards the morgue but diddnt end up going in, we also went into another building around the community area. it looks like a school for the children that were there. we walked through the hallways and saw all the doors. we went to the end of one of the halls and saw a closed door. i told my mate not to open it but he diddnt listen. the door opened and we heard somethign banging against the wall/roof. we shined the torch towards it and saw a fantail.it was three in the morning. fantails mean something bads going to happen in maori religion. that building and the previous one i wrote about have to be the scariest buildings atLA We where there tonight and had a great time the place has changed so much since my first visit in 06, sad to see how run down the buildings have become. Reading the comments about how the place is haunted cracks me up. I've lost count of how many times I've been there during the night & day but Never had a ghost pop out at me,lol. Probably also because I respect the place, theres only friendly energy about anyway. The Maximum is so trashed its more of a place to avoid then visit but walking around the Villas was peaceful and brought back that hospital vibe. I took a walk on my own through the old Minimum security that place isnt in a bad condition ashame the owners cant keep a few of those buildings cos they would make for good budget accommodation type of thing. Oh AND if the people with the flash light who went in the Hall then walked up past Villa 11 are reading this, we where only coming to say hello not to scare you off you didnt need to jump in your car & take off towards Santoft rd... By the way the owners know EVERYONE comes in via Santoft rd & parks at the back Lol thats been going on for years... DUH!!! RIP LAKE ALICE Bonnie 08/09/2009 7:27pm
been to lake alice sevral times. awsome place to look around. shame they pulling it down. paul zentveld 08/17/2009 8:38pm
HI NATHAN, Yes Ive heard the screams of children as ihave left the grounds .SIMPLE Idont believe in ghosts on TWO visits IT shook me up MY COUSIN is IN the NZ ARMY SHE Told me that She knows of two army friends that will never go to La again too scared. they know these are big guys.WHOW .I stil wonder though.Any queries by any curious people or EX patients who would like some help or just achat call me on 0212123665 paul anytime. Jaimee Lee 08/31/2009 12:37pm
Hi Guys rina76 08/31/2009 3:29pm
HI, kc 09/01/2009 6:21pm
hey guy dis is the cool websites i know thank to you for coming into dis website thank u casey 09/01/2009 6:22pm
hi nathan wat r u up to wanna go out Hannah 09/05/2009 1:45pm
Hey, Its so cool i actually found a website for lake alice my boyfriend is in the army and is doing a exercise there this past week, Hes been telling me some creepy stories about lights randomly turning on and waking up in the middle of the night feeling that his sleeping bag is being shuck. he says its huge and very eerie as theres scratch marks from the patients and wheel chairs still in building i would love to find out more about the place. jamie lee and hannah i laugh at your guys comments on the basis i have been there and didnt see any lights go on,yes it was kind of cold because it was the middle of goddamn winter!!!!! but other than that it was sweet going through the buildings.the person who went with me (you know who you are) says ya'll should be worry'd about the living more than the dead lol.oh and marton hillybillys mud skiing lol anyways im going there again when i get enough $ to come up from chch so if u want to come just send me a message on my email mustangman7800@hotmail.com and ill sort something out. greenmachineman 09/14/2009 8:25pm
Nice website LA has fascinated me ever since i have joined the army. I havent been there personally but I have heard stories from my mates about that place. They stayed the night next to one of the pools during an exercise and apparently heard children playing in the pool. Wouldnt mind checking it out some time:D Sarah 09/22/2009 1:20pm
Great website- what happens if you just want to go out t have a look and a little walk around in like the afternoon? not keen to have tyres slashed etc. Well why not it sounds lovely going for a little walk around a falling down old abandoned mental hospital this time of year. Hell why not pack a picnic & bring the kids! sarah 09/24/2009 2:21pm
sweet thanks for the help... so is the police training meant to mean that they'll be on site or something? ummm what you mean about the Marton code LA2009 thing? do you reckon its a good idea to go check it out the day before so we know where to go etc...? I have no idea about the training the information was passed onto me. Marton code was a joke!! So many people ask how to get permission and how to get onto the property etc and all I'm gonna say is people have been arrested both by night & day lately, I've given up going out there. If you have read my blogs & comments people have left then you are aware of the risk's so its up to you... If you visit then drop a comment & tell us now how you went =] sarah 09/28/2009 4:49pm
when there last night. didnt get past the sercuity dude that lives there. he saw us and came out of his house.... soooo scary!! going to try again this week but go from the back entrance. screw the front!!! :D 09/29/2009 8:08pm
HI NATHAN,MY COMMENT,RE NZPA SUN 20 SEPT 2009 ATTORNEY GENERAL COMMENTS ON TIME WAISTING LAWYERS NATHAN .YOU LOOK AT IT.HE,S MOANING.HE NEEDS TO PULL HIS HEAD OUT OF THE SAND,AND NOT TRY TOWIN CASES AGAINST THE CROWN WITH PRE 1960SLAWS .SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST SONYA COOPER LOST.PAUL Z LOST. UN REPORT AGAINST NZ.GOVT .CONFIDENTIAL FORUM REPORT JUGDE GALLENS REPORT.16 MILLION BUCKS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY PAID OUT TOLAKE ALICE CLAIMANTS AND NEEDING AN OFFICAL INQUIRY.NOT REQUIRED HE SAYS. NO ACCOUNTABILITY NO JUSTICE.MY CASEWAS APUSHOVER WITH THE CALIBER OF THERE BEST.THE POLICE CANNOT STOP THE WIN IN SUPREME COURT RULING,LOOKOUT EX- STAFFMEMBERS SEEYOU IN COURT VERYSOON. Madison 10/02/2009 9:21pm
The place is really interesting!!! I would love to go out and have a look!!! Although was out there a couple weeks ago and spoke to a person who gave me the owners phone number to try and jack up a visit.. i talked to him and unfortunately he doesnt want people out there cos its being demo'd and is dangerous.... sad I know as wana have a look for my self!!! :( jay 10/11/2009 10:58pm
reading all these storys makes me laugh LA was a allright place , i used to interact with the residents and play ping pong and pool with them, i think alot of good work was done there , the people who lived there had no where else to go and were looked after well in my mind, i lived in the staff houses second road on the left from the entrance second house on the right, 4 bedroom it was nice place, we had use of the indoor swimming pool which was great and the snooker room and, the tuck shop waz great as well, liked to go to the staff quaters and watch the tv, there was always lots to do there for a teenager, the place looks bad now because it is run down, i remember when it was bright and well maintained, as for ghosts get a life or watch blair witch, the mind does strange thing at night in a abandoned hospital TNM 11/12/2009 2:02pm
I spent a short time as an inpatient in the safecare unit in the early 90s, and have recently been out to see someone who farms next door a couple of times, and confess just the proximity really rattled me, but think that probably has more to do with my own personal ghosts than any there as such. I do wonder how much "taint" can come from the sheer concentration of pain and torment a place like that sees, especially over such a long time. Part of me would love to go in, and most of me is terrified. The signs everywhere were enough to put me off. Lee 12/05/2009 8:35am
I've been out to Lake Alice a few times now, last time some Crazy man/farmer chased me and my partner off the property with a hammer. It was wierd, when he finally caught up with us he was crying and told us not to come back. It was like he was an ex-patient (but I guess unlikely)Ive been through the maxinmim unit, The villa's, the hall, and Staff headquarters, Which there is blood smeared on the walls? either from the past or some silly kids tryna freak people out. I found patients records and Staff routines in a filing cabnet. Was chilling to read Childrens records that recorded in the 70's. Even signed by Selwyn Leeks. I also found a diary but didnt take it, It had many drawings in it like a child had done them, Was errie. I think its great that Paul Zentveld has seen this site he deserves all the the justice in the world for the hell he was ut through. Instead of felling spooked when Im out there, I feel the suffering, trauma and opression that went on out there. Keep up the good work Nathan. Lee 12/06/2009 8:22am
Its amazing atfer I talked to my father who lives in Aussie, about going out to lake Alice. He tells me its always been a secert but my Grandmother Cassie, was put out there in the mid 70's for depression. She was never the same when she came out, and never wanted to speak of it. She became an alcoholic atferwards and died in her early 50's. Ive always felt a strong conection to that horrible place, even knew a few people that worked there. But never known a family member was out there. Especially not my Grandmother. Jess 12/11/2009 2:22pm
Hey everyone, strahanee 12/13/2009 9:19pm
warning to all.... 12/18/2009 3:11pm
hi nathan,well well what has happen to la now.q has la reopened or who is hiding what.NO farmer puts up that much security for a now farm.thecost of this alone no farmer could bear by itself.govt funding very likely.why.?makes you wonder.what are they hiding now .maybe they found those unmarked graves?maybe the moaris finally woke up to having alot of the Whanau in those graves, you know what we found.sad but too late.shameful to the top govt officals for engineering all this.more news coming .not good though paul.z Basil Brush 01/05/2010 4:15pm
A most interesting website. Would be keen to visit Lake Alice and finding out about the history of this scary looking place. Basil Brush 01/05/2010 4:19pm
Cannot understand why there is so much security around Lake Alice hospital. Surely visitors should be allowed to look around and try to experience what the patients had to put up with while incarcerated. I was keen to study Museum and Hertitage studies at University and if I had done so (might still do in future) I was going to study the history of Lake Alice and Porirua hospitals. Would have been fascinating I think? Marcus 01/13/2010 3:13pm
Obviously there was and still is a need for a hospital for disturbed individuals and children and Lake Alice may have been the last resort for many parents and Doctors. I may have been considered for Lake Alice as a child/youth but my parents tolerated my behaviour I suppose due to the stigma of having a child in a mental institution. Looking at this website has scared me a little knowing that I could have been one of the many young patients in Lake Alice. I am very sorry to hear of the childrens experiences which have obviously affected many of them for life. Guss 01/27/2010 5:26pm
After reading the above comments my suggestion is that people stay away from Lake Alice. Not worth getting your tyres slashed or being threatened by people. This place must be demolished and the land which is probably valuable used for housing or some other venture. Let this place just fade away like the horrible memories that people have. Ex LA Nurse 01/31/2010 8:02am
Firstly I would like to say to you all who have visited Lake Alice You all deserve to be served with tresspass notices!!! Who or what gives you the right to enter onto someone elses property?? If you wanted the right to enter on there as you please, maybe you should have purchased the place your self how would you feel if someone just turned up and let them selves into your house without permission?? I think you need to give the farmer a break he has obviously purchased the land to do something positive and after reading of all the rumors etc I think the best thing for Lake Alice is for it to be demolished and turned into farm land. I use to work there along with my sisters and parents and we all have only fond memories of our time working there. We passed by Lake alice on our way home after xmas and it looks fantastic, what a huge transformation, but I guess you will only believe what you want to read or hear and as for ghosts, feeling sick and weird vibes bahahaha I've had a good laugh at you all what a joke it's all in your heads . Old McDonald only brought Lake Alice because he owns the surrounding land, he has no idea what to do with the property, doesn't take a genius to figure that one out! You need to be realistic I don't think many people could afford to buy the property because most people don't have a few spear mill laying around. All he has done is cut tree's down & removed some street lights which is sh*t all if he wanted to make it look fantastic then he'd knock the Maximum unit down which is why 90% of people go there. Perhaps you should go read up on the definition of trespassing before making such remarks as one is not 'trespassing' until you are asked to leave. Should one enter a building then they 'could' be charged with unlawful entering of a property, but then what the farmer is doing by damaging vehicle's is willful damage & touching another person is assault! I have been told by the Marton police recently that they had to remind Old Mcdonald that damaging a car is unlawful and a offense. Ex LA Nurse 01/31/2010 10:33pm
well well it seems you have a rich opinion of the workings of lake alice ..."good and bad ..."yeah right... Ex LA Nurse 01/31/2010 10:52pm
lake alice is a refection of society at the time....probably your parents... and neighbours...who sent their kids and old folk their cos they didnt know what to do with themm.... the shame is carried down trough generations..and is yours to deal with in your families....sadly is transferred into blame of someone else other than those who determined it... You go mr Mc donald....make your farm to feed those of us and our kids of the future....the land has laid fallow and sour for too long... You really are a hypocritical one sided person maybe you should have brought the place. Yes yes I am well aware it was to be built for soldiers to treat TB, that was prior to the 50's. But it was seen to be far more of an advantage to be a mental hospital due to the fact it could be self sufficient & was fairly isolated. I've exchanged emails with staff & children of staff who have told me about there time working/living & fund raising that was done, it was your job you were a good nurse your reward there was the satisfaction you got from helping those people. I've also exchanged emails with patients who have told me about there times there, perhaps the ones who were happy about been at LA are yet to see my site... Ex LA Nurse 02/01/2010 7:07am
how would you know children were sexually abused shocked etc....were you there or just spouting rumours...oh yes there was abuse ...but nothing horrific as you say...as for the children.there were only six and whos parents put them there if there was sexual it was by clients..what rot you are talking about...actually i didnt find your site..someone else did..and still you pick on Mr mc Donald...if you felt so strongly...you should have bought the place yourself...... How dear you, have you been under a rock for the last 10+ years you sick twisted witch. My father was one of the children that received ECT and I have meet many of the other men & woman he was in there with, as well as his hospital reports saying the children where punished by use of unmodified ECT or injections of paraldehyde. Piss off half the nurses were the pedo's the one's who liked the little boys. I welcome you to meet my father we live in Palmerston North. If you have the guts prove me wrong & come tell him to his face he was never abused at Lake Alice hospital! 02/03/2010 7:41pm
hi NATHAN this must be one of the nurses .[clowns ,who have lied to police and crownlaw to save their own buts from prosicution it sounds like Dempsey Corkran.MR FANTAsy himself yip..dont worry Nathan.he will go to his grave with many shocking secrets too.ALL in total Denial these EX nurses.theyve found there rock to hide under.The silence game.WHAT a LOSER and all the other staff.You will all meet god oneday soon.TRY Liying to him .and I hope it hurts.It will. haha PAUL ZENTVELD ALL STAFF .NO GUTS ANYWAY> PAUL ZENTVELD 02/03/2010 7:54pm
HI NATHAN,you know if the public only new the names of these badarse ex nurses the public would go on a witchhunt and mob LYNCHINGS,thats why they stay quiet in there shameful silence bud.they put their families at risk too.these ex nurses should manup to what they saw and doneand you too.? SANDRA holmes of WAnganui the bigtime hairyfairy fortune teller.you might of made your peace with yourself ,but not with GOD yet LADY monster.YOU know. brent 02/06/2010 11:22am
It is quite pathetic that a bunch of stuck up snobs think they can stop people from visiting what was once a home to many. I went for a drive once down Lake Alice Road towards the hospital and there are these signs saying no entry. This guy came out from some building and basically signalled using his fingers..to tell me to bugger off. I mean who does he think he really is? He's brought a piece of land and does not have the means to develop it. It's like Kimberly Hospital in Levin. It's just going to waste. If I do get the chance to go back to Lake Alice, I'm going to not care about some big man who thinks he has control over what once was Government property. Mind you thinking about it, our taxes probably pay for his fricken water and power supply. Where's the main water toby! Brent 02/06/2010 11:34am
Here's something else....so you supposide owners of what was once a home to many: my question is what are you going to really do with this piece of land? You seem so worried about people coming on there and looking at buildings which are basically going to fall down or be demolished. What are you hiding in there? If I owned the land, I would welcome people to come and look at what is part of New Zealand's history. You are basically exactly doing that; you are basically stopping people from stepping back in history. If I had have had a family member be a patient there, I would not give a stuff about your little warning signs and security cameras to go have a look at where they once lived. I hope I win Lotto, and a big prize of it, because the first thing I would do is buy you out at a bargin price, and have you trespassed from the place....Mr Big Owner! happy 02/06/2010 4:16pm
THE MEANING OF TRESPASSING (CHAMBERS CONCISE DICTIONARY. The meaning of a word does not necessarily define the law of the word as you have chosen to describe it above. Wikipedia states Trespassing as, '(properly to go beyond,"act of going from place to place, is a legal concept, which refers to intrusion into another person's property. Trespass to land is a type of trespass, which can cause criminal[1] or a tort liability. Emma Doolan 02/15/2010 2:47pm
Me and five other boys went to Lake Alice about five months ago. First of all, i'd advise anybody whose thinking about going there not to as yes, it is scary but also because there are sensors on the trees now and we all got taken down to the Marton police station after our tour and charged with a trespass notice and now I have to go to court over such a stupid little matter. casper 02/18/2010 12:20pm
Fantastic site, it seems to me just because society at that time, 15-30 yrs ago said its ok to do... or turned a blind eye, that , that makes it ok. B ut most of us know that it wasnt. sure practices,beleifs,laws,policies change, and thank goodness for that. Doesnt matter how many were abused at LA,its still abuse. How many died without telling their story. So ex patients, who loved it there? Like any profession theres good and bad in all, but to turn a blind eye, is bad. paul zentveld 02/18/2010 4:10pm
nice one thankyou from myself and my team ,and all the other victims .very encouraging to no that there are actually people out there still that care and are willing to step forward with there say best regards paul zentveld.zapper28@live.com 02/22/2010 4:52pm
hi nathan.today got a phone call from police commissoners office,wanting to now about the unmarked graves.well well.you will see it on the news very soon radio nz .GRAEME acton rang me too.The chairman of the moari select committee wants to go down to start digging too .yes TAU,this farmer old MC donald soon is in for a big shock haha.too THIS SHOULD CREATE SOME EXCITING DELLOPMENTS BE FOR THE DOCUMENTRY COMES OUT ABOUT IT AND THE UNMARKED GRAVES TOO AT PORRIRUA HOS TOO .WATCH THIS SPACE .BEST REGARDS P.Z Chloetrinka 02/25/2010 7:23pm
Wow there is so much deep deep tension surrounding this Hostpital and its past. All these lives spun together in one place. i am from wanganui born in the eighties and lived there for fourteen years but never knew this deep set history and the pain. i feel these places are created by such complex and painful circumstances. the good and the bad indeed. the good does get lost amongst the bad. it spreads like a disease. but the good? it can shine in sometimes where people let it. but to me where there is smoke there is fire and lake alice would have been a very dark place at times. it really is like light and dark, such dark people that where perhaps staff and patients. the vibes even come trough to you via peoples comments. its not just humans that create these horrible realities its what you might refer to as evil. but to all those who suffered at its hand who may read this, i can tell people who participate in this website wether for or against it the feelings are strong so id like to offer my toughts for those who have suffered here and gone...hold your heads up high and look for the light in life and i believe you can heal. to those who were bad or to anyone who reads this, there are things in this world darker than the human mind can comprehend dont go near them they are real. but they are tempting! any one who has suffered at the hand of a dark person will know that you cant see it, but its real. so follow the good. lake alice for farmland is a good idea. heavy stuff but strong feelings. Susan Clark 03/02/2010 12:48am
HI NATHAN Hi Susan, New to mental health 03/28/2010 7:41pm
Hi there, just wanted to say a big thankyou for taking the time to share this site with everyone. I'm in my second year of mental health nursing in hamilton and am enjoying learning New Zealand's history. It is important that we never forget history. Debs 12/29/2011 9:20pm
Hiya.By now you will be in your 3rd year of mental health nursing and god help you. The mental health is not good in this country and probably never has been. OMG and you are joining it! Good luck with that. I am bitter, as I am a victim and I did get paid out but that has never ever ever helped me. It has been 40 years since i went thru all that and i am not over it. I just want you to know it is not easy and I am still struggling. Remember that when you are looking after your patients - cause the doctor never did! Flo 04/03/2010 6:05pm
I hate to think what happened to my Mum there after she was mis diagnosed with a mental illness (in the 1980's ), which turned out to be a medical condition. She was locked up and given ECT . I remember going through locked doors to visit her when I was a small child( she was locked up after she tried to escape to get home to her children ). She now resides in an old folks home in Palmerston Nth , and her condition is such she is unable to speak. We will never know whether she was treated fairly there or not which is very very sad.Just thought that all you supposed ghost hunters should think about these people rather than just trying to get cheap thrills. Debs 12/29/2011 9:25pm
Hi Flo - omg! Your mums name is not Beverly is it? I have been looking for her for years. I was in there in the 70's and I went thru some tough timers there. 40 years later and I am still not over it Kenny 04/13/2010 12:06pm
I was considering studying Lake Alice and Porirua Psychiatric Hospitals as part of a Museum and Heritage studies course at Victoria University of Wellington. I would be keen to get feedback as to whether this is a good proposition. The course starts again next year so have plenty of time to look at Lake Alice and Porirua as possible historical sites! Any feed back welcome. Regards Kenny Kenny, I think it's a fantastic idea. Perhaps something that needs to be explored so our history is not forgotten regardless of what might have happened. You will ofcourse find plenty of history with the Porirua hospital as they have there museum, staff used to come up from Porirua to work at Lake Alice so they were kind of sister hospitals in the early years. We at the website are happy to assist you in anyway Kenny 04/17/2010 1:42pm
Thank you Nathan and will see how things go! Really appreciate your feedback and agree that the history of LA needs to be kept! Will be applying for this course at the end of this year and if I get in and subject to approval by the lecturer, will be keen to study LA and Porirua. My mother was a psychiatric nurse at Porirua Hospital during the late 1960s! Your mother being a nurse at Porirua will give you that much help you will need, very lucky. Very hard to find people who will speak about there time working in these institutions, I find that shameful. It's a unique subject to choose studying the history of NZ's psychiatric institutions, Surely wont be a dull one. I can't wait to see where it might take you even though its not till next year =] Kenny 04/28/2010 11:03am
Hi Nathan Amanda 05/05/2010 3:28pm
hi names amanda R.thomas 05/08/2010 5:19pm
I have also been to lake alice numerous times and nothing exceptionaly weird has happened until the last time i went..... i cant remember much of it but my friends said i flipped out like got all aggressive then when it was time to leave i refused to go- like i was possessed or something. then once we had left just after we jumped the gate to get back to the car, i passed out and stopped breathing. my friends had to call an ambulance to get me to the wangaui hospital...freaky shit man. im a bit scared to go back now but any way we going back on tuesday night 11th may if any one is interested. give me a txt on 0277567685 Debs 12/29/2011 9:28pm
I hate that! You talk like it is a side circus. guts me Helenna 05/26/2010 10:14pm
drove past and checked it out, didnt have time to investigate but i did take a photo of the tower (unsure what it was) and found 2 orbs in the windows, their has to be an amazing amount of spirits there, good and bad. im going to go have a good look around in a couple of weeks with a few mates.. were thinking of taking a bible and a cross (abit of peace of mind). i was in hospital a month ago and a ghost came and sat by me with her head down, when she walked in the curtain flickered. im now so interested in spirits and ghosts, hence why i really want to explore LA, il let you know how i get on :) Amy 05/31/2010 4:12pm
Why are we not allowed to go in there and look at it? Debs 12/29/2011 9:29pm
Simple. BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SIDE SHOW! R.Thomas 06/05/2010 9:12pm
Amy, you arent allowed in there because its 'private property' and the owner is an anal old c*@t, he thinks the buildings are dangerous but i beg to differ. i have been there numerous times and never had any problems. my advice is, be careful you dont get caught getting in or out and once your in use your common sense and youll be sweet. you better get in fast if your going to visit as they are pulling it down HAVE FUN! pj 06/12/2010 10:47am
Cant believe anyone can be so dumb as to visit la when sign clearly says tresspassers will be prosecuted. Dont know about you but I wouldnt want people wanderind willy nilly over my private property. Thank goodness its all being demolished, Belinda 06/28/2010 2:10pm
Was travelling back to Wellington from Wanganui on Intercity and bus drove past road to Lake Alice. Saw the water tower in the distance which really stands out. Would love to visit Lake Alice sometime. Lyn 06/30/2010 8:27pm
I really cant believe anybody would be wanting to visit Lake Alice. It was a terrible place for those that were suffering mental illness. In actual fact its a shame somebody didnt burn the place down years ago. Debs 12/29/2011 9:30pm
Good one Lyn! I agree with you Squid 07/15/2010 10:33pm
I let of some firecrackers there. hahaha.fuk u lake arsehole Debs 12/29/2011 9:32pm
And same to you! You have no fkn idea do you. Fk you - you need to read about what people went thru and find some empathy sharon bragg 07/18/2010 10:35pm
Hi everyone, I am writing cause both my mother and father both worked at lake alice.. Debs 12/29/2011 9:35pm
Hi Sharon Natalie 07/25/2010 11:14am
Hey, Jane 11/01/2010 10:55am
Coming back from Wanganui yesterday and the bus drove past LA hospital! I always look out for the water tower and am hoping soon to go and have a look at the hospital from the gate or fence or what ever is there. Have driven past many a time in the car or bus and am keen to have a closer look! Good a kind of eerie feeling about the place even from the main highway. Debs 12/29/2011 9:37pm
Hi Jane - what? You are keen to have a look? At all the young kids being tortured by a psychiatrist and a handful of nurses. Sorry, but I don't share your enthusiasm. shane 11/26/2010 11:23pm
GOOD WORK NATHAN WILL DONE. AS FOR YOU EX LA NURSE WHAT HAPPEN TO YOU. HAVE YOU GOT NOTHING TO SAY NOW. A? GOT NO GUTS TO PROVE NATHAN WRONG. A ? REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE THAT EX LA NURSE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. IN LA HOSPITAL BUT YOU DO NOW. (DON'T YOU EX LA NURSE) IF YOU DIDINT NOW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN LA HOSPITAL. AND YOU HAD NO PART IN IT. YOU WOULD HAVE THE GUTS TO PROVE HIM WRONG...? YOUR A BAD SICK TWISTED EX LA NURSE. AND YOU WILL NEVER NOW WHAT IS LIKE TO BE ABUSED.INTILL IT HAS HAPPENT TO YOU.? AND ALL ABUSE IS HORRIFIC DOES NOT MATER WHOS IT IS DOING THE ABUSEING. YOU OR THE CLIENT. LIKE YOU SAY IT IS.(ITS ALL BAD) AND ITS EVIL AND IF YOU. EX LA NURSE THINKS THAT IT IS OK TO DO THAT. NURSE OR YOUR CLIENT AS YOU SAY. THEN YOU DO NEED TO PARY TO GOD YOUR EVIL WITCH... Debs 12/29/2011 9:39pm
Shane what are you on about? Nathan is doing great setting up this website and I have met him. So you are what? An ex nurse? Whatever. I don't remember any shanes there Rebecca 02/04/2011 7:42pm
Is there anyway to find a register of past patients or nurses? My partners grandmother is a ex nurse and had family members who were in institutes*. Shes taken a shine to it recently after hearing something on the radio and we have only just found out that she wants to go there - but what for....i see its coming up for sale or something? can somebody please help us Jean 03/11/2011 5:53am
Hi I am writing from UK because IN THE COURSE OF RESEARCHING MY FAMILY HISTORY I have just discovered that a long lost aunt of mine resided at Lake Alice (Villa) 13 from 1979 until her death in 1989 aged 76. I would love to find someone who may have known her. Her name was Morag Wilcox. Who can help me to find out more about this mystery lady? Belinda 03/31/2011 7:03pm
I am wondering if anybody from Wellington is planning to drive up to Lake Alice some time in the future whom I could get a lift with? I would like to take some photos outside the gate/fence and will not go in to the actual grounds to avoid tresspass/arrest etc. Will cover petrol and costs as I don't have a car at the moment. Just an idea that I have been thinking about for a while. Maybe someone may for interest like me want to go up? Thank you. Have seen the hospital several times from the intercity bus but there is no stop near by for a drop off and pick up later on that I am aware of. Helen 03/31/2011 7:06pm
Re Rebecca. I tried to get a staff list for Porirua Hospital because my birthmother was a nurse there from 1965-1968 but was told that due to the current investigations into allegations of abuse in mental hospitals this was not allowed. I know my birthmother's name and details but was curious to see her name on staff list! Helen 04/05/2011 5:48pm
Re: Rebecca. I fogot to add in my last email that it is unlikely that you will be able to see a list of former patients due to confidentuality and privacy issues but good luck! Also you may be interested that Porirua Hospital just outside Wellington has a museum which is open on Tuesday afternoons and also by arrangement. This is most interesting and well worth the visit. Lots of things to see ie a padded cell and there are volunteers with lots of information available on hand. Easy to get to from Wellington by train and you get to walk around the grounds to get to the museum located at the back of the hospital. Debs 12/29/2011 9:47pm
OMG! Sorry Helen but your comments disturb me. A museum to visit? Most interesting? Do you have any idea how that sounds? So all the inmates are stuck there behind bars and you find that interesting? Thing about what you are saying. Thing about the poor kids that are in there Debs 04/05/2011 11:31pm
I think it would be great to set up some sort of register for ex patients and staff. Probably not feasible though - can't see ex staff putting their name on here, and a lot of ex-patients have moved on and let it all go. Wish I could. There's still a part of me in there, and I need to go back there. So what if we ring the farmer guy and genuinely request a semi supervised visit ? Would that work? Hmmmm assuming the building I want to go to is still standing. I think it might help, and I would at least like to give it a try. Dawn 04/08/2011 12:59pm
Does anyone remember a woman named Yvonne (she is my sister) and she was at Lake Alice for four years (don't know the dates but it was sometime in the 1970's? I think) and she also had ECT. She cannot remember anything being a patient there. But the good news is she is a survivor and she is now happily stronger and leading an excellent life without after effects. I am sorry for the ones that have, did or are not survive. Dawn 04/08/2011 2:24pm
I am getting goosebumps justing going through the website you have (GREAT WEBSITE - NO. 1 TO ME. HOPE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND INFO) and looking at the photos I don't even have to go there and see it. My sister Yvonne was there for four years and she said it was spooky enough just being a patient. She told me there was ghosts there when she was there. I have enough ghosts to attend with at the moment with my deceased mother visiting me at various times, so looking at the Lake Alice website was enough thank you! It gives me chilly willys and I don't think I need to visit Lake Alice in person. Dawn 04/19/2011 10:58am
Its now 2011 - has the LA buildings/villas been torn down yet or are they slowly being taken down? censored 04/22/2011 2:11pm
my father suffered in that place, thats something that stays with you for life. the people who hurt him are lucky i dont know where they are...because if i did know, or ever found out, they would suffer for what they did to him. Debs 12/29/2011 9:52pm
hey censored. I feel your pain. You have totally immersed yourself in your dad's pain and you are feeling his pain. I hope you come back and visit this site....you are a very sensitive person. You have obviously heard about what your dad went thru there. Was that the early 70's? Maybe I knew him. censored 04/22/2011 2:24pm
and those of you who think this place is awesome and a cool place to go you should be ashamed, your a bunch of sick idiots, this place is not a bloody playground, real people still suffer today for what was done to them there, things you couldn't ever imagine. shame on you. Belinda 04/25/2011 2:30pm
For those who may be interested there is a very good DVD called 'Asylum Pieces' by the late Kathy Dudding that looks at the history of Porirua Hospital in Wellington from the beginning to the present. This is very interesting DVD but sadly Kathy passed away recently. Available at Wellington Central Library. Rachael 05/05/2011 10:08pm
Wow, this seems really scary! Were there any murders in the Lake Alice Hospital? I've researched everywhere, and can't seem to find any, but if there were I'm sure there would be articles.. alex guyan 05/08/2011 6:42pm
rachael.... Dawn 06/14/2011 10:46am
Just seen the new photos of Lake Alice being torn down. It is about time Lake Alice was destroyed! But I have an interesting question to ask : I know there were/are ghosts out there but when they finally get rid of the final piece of concrete (which is whenever) will the ghosts stay or will they finally be at peace? What do other people think? Finlay 06/24/2011 4:24am
censored... Marton Boy 07/06/2011 1:38am
Hey I was born in Wanganui in 1985 and lived out at Lake Alice till December 1995 due to both my parents working there. They had been working there since the 70s. Seeing these pictures brings back heaps of good memories of when all us kids use to run all over the place. We use to live right next door to Dr Leaks. The old man tells me heaps about the place. Both my parents were there to the end. The place to me was not a scary place at all. Me and my brothers use to walk every where around there at all times of the night. Haha we use to even climb on top of the morgue because it was next door to the club rooms. Can you email me with a contact number because the old man wants to go for a look through. We even still got the maximum securities (or the block was what we knew it as) main keys redfluff 07/09/2011 9:06pm
This is a great place for actual psychiatric and rehab facilities etc. ( not talking about all the abuse that went on cos that's sick or the actual mental institution itself) ) But I like the idea of little villages not far from town. Where it's like a stepping stone to getting well, you go out farm and swim and garden. I don't find these places sick, I don't condone their abuse and i don't believe in absolute seclusion but, If someone rebuilt it and made a horrible part of NZ history into a good thing...then that'd be really nice. Dawn 07/19/2011 2:59pm
Hi Nathan. I've thought of a theme for Mental Awareness Week in October : REMEMBERING ALL SURVIVORS AND NON-SURVIVORS OF LAKE ALICE (or something to that nature). Maybe there should be some memorial like a Tree of Remembrance planted not on the actual property - we dont want Macdonald to get upset. Plant it somewhere outside the boundary but not too far. No names mentioned but a simple tree dedicated to the ones who were there as patients - both young and old. I know it sounds corny but its just an idea. Tori 07/21/2011 3:48pm
Me and two other guys went to LA Tue night. We went into some of the buildings. I think your doing a great job with doing this website. I used my phone to record sounds and we played back and there were noises that we didn't hear while recording. We were there for 2-3 hours. There may have been some good things that happened but that does not compare to all the bad things that happened. EX LA NURSE it seems like you defending the evil side of things. People are inclined to see NZ history and talk about it. Its only right that people know what really happened in LA. Belinda 07/22/2011 4:28pm
I agree with Finlay. Lake Alice is park of New Zealand recent history. I am very interested in the history of Lake Alice and Porirua Hospital as well. I had a friend like myself who was interested in old buildings like Lake Alice and took photographs. I have taken photographs of Porirua Hospital and find the place most interesting with so much history. Dawn 09/02/2011 11:00am
Just thought I would inform you that my sister (ex-LA patient) has asked for her LA file which is some 20 years back or so, for her to have a copy. She had written to the Wanganui (Whanganui) DHB. For those ones who want to see a copy of the file or have a copy themselves, they need photo ID, birth certificate and something else for ID like Community Services Card. You also have to sign a form that only she will be seeing the notes and not going to the doctor. Well, basically its all red tape to release them. But just to let you know for all those ex-LA patients, there is a way you can retrieve a copy of your file. I think WDHB are being very careful who gets what though. I bet too there are 'blacked out' spaces in the copies - missing pages as well???? Will update you if she gets the complete photocopied file. Debs 12/29/2011 9:57pm
Hey Dawn - appreciate your comments. Guess what - I tried to get my files 25 years ago and they have destroyed them! Dawn 09/03/2011 10:47am
Update to my last comment : sister got a letter from the DHB about her LA file, saying "they cannot at the moment find her file but they are looking" or something to those words because it was all technical hoo ha. Will keep you updated. Debs 12/29/2011 9:58pm
When was your sister in there? What was here name? My files went west too! Its crap. They have a paper shredder there jess (: 09/05/2011 9:55pm
some of my friends told me about this now im so excited to go these things interest me so much , does anyone know the current state or what the security is like now ? Dawn 10/06/2011 1:27pm
Just an update about my sister getting her notes when she was at Lake Alice. No Sign of them yet and still the same letter coming back informing her once again 'they cannot at the moment find her file but they are still looking'. Yeah, right!!!!!! (cough cough) Helen 10/09/2011 8:36am
I have only just discovered your website and have been disturbed about the comments of EX LA NURSE. She writes that she has fond memoris of working there and then she writes that some people who worked their were not so good and mis doings are the fault of the medicial profession and justifys anything that may have happened there as nothing compared to other such places at the time. EX LA NURSE abuse of innocent children of the worst possible kind occured there!! We who read about the abuse that happened there wonder how something like this could have happened. Well the answer is in the writtings of EX LA NURSE. This is a nurse willing to deny any wrong doings of the place and justify herself as a good person by helping to raise funds for a swimming pool. Do you think the victims of LA abuse give a stuff about your pool? There was a doctor who was behind the abuse of these children and his name has been released, but what about all the nurings staff who either par took in the abuse or who did nothing, cleaning staff, kitchen staff etc. All these people need to be named, it is not ok to witness the abuse of children and do nothing about it. It is not ok to have worked in a place where abuse occured and to make out there was nothing wrong with the place. Of course this place is going to have a bad vibe, alot of bad things happened there, seriously damaged people lived there, tear down the buildings and the land will forever hold that energy. And lets not forget there would have been alot of really good people who worked there too and gave their all for others. EX LA NURSE your comments disgust me. Debs 12/29/2011 10:01pm
Good on you Helen! You know who else was involved? The police. Yep they drove me there! My school principal. Yep he suggested it to my parents and my family doctor! Too many people had their fingers in the pie. And 40 years later and I am still suffering Dawn 10/10/2011 1:43pm
If Ex-LA Nurse has fond memories of working at LA, how about giving my sister's two-years-she-lost-memories-being-a-patient back? She lost them thru ECT and beep-beep she beep-beep-beep cannot remember! Dont know if that is a good or bad thing though? rathernotsaymyname 11/01/2011 4:26pm
i am 17 and i have been in and out of the psychiatric ward in new plymouth (te puna waiora) for the last 4 years (since i was 13), i have many many personal stories about what has happened to me and what i have witnessed at the psych ward and can quite believe what has happened at LA. My grandmother was a psyc nurse at ward 17 which was the psych ward before Tepuna waiora; she doesnt like talking about it though and have only ever managed to get her to talk about it once when i aske her if she had ever witnessed ECT. she said she had and said that it was sickening. while at the psych ward on one of my many admissions (i cant remember which one as i can barely remember the last two years due to the type and amount of meds they where giving me) i managed to talk to a middle aged patient whom had also been in and out since they were a teenager, i managed to get him to tell me a little about when he was in LA; he had mixed emotions about lake alice, he spoke of being beaten up, beating the nurses up, ECT and how volatile everything was, but he also felt the need of some of the positives of lake alice, how the nurses would sometimes take them to the pub and so on. i have also spoken to a nurse who worked there and she told me of only positive things and that she enjoyed working there. like the patient that spoke of lake alice i have both negative and positive stories about my experiences over the last 4 years. if anyone would like to talk some more then please comment back and i waill do my best to reply :) Belinda 11/17/2011 6:03pm
RE: Dawn. I know that you sister wants her LA file but I knoww that in regards to Porirua Hospital records, a relative who works in mental health said that some recorded had been damaged and were not able to be retrieved. Good luck to your sister - hope that she gets them. Dawn 11/28/2011 4:34am
Still waiting............and waiting...............for the file. Sister has not heard from them now and it is what? Nearly Xmas? Belinda maybe right. Maybe the records were 'destoryed'? But weird things have happened like them 'just finding the file, and hey, its in the shredder sorry? Got mixed up with all the other rubbish?' Chris 12/23/2011 10:24am
I was an ex-patient at Lake Alice who the hell are the farmers saying who can not visit Lake Alice grounds and they can refuse entry to the historic place. Hey Debs, Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply | CommentsHow to read and leave comment's,
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